Rifleman Arnold “Arnie” Clay was born in Nipawin, Saskatchewan on 5 November 1936, the son of Albert (a WWII veteran) and Ella Clay. He had two brothers Ken and Keith.

In 1956 he enlisted with The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regular Force in Calgary. In the summer of 1957, he was sent to the Nevada desert to participate with American soldiers in Atomic testing.

After that, he was deployed to Germany with The Queen’s Own Rifles who were part of a NATO force where he was on the QOR hockey team.

He chose to leave the army in 1958 and in civilian life, became a baker like his father.

On 22 November 1958 Clay married Majorie Hickman and they had sons Tracy and Derrick and daughter Crystal.

Clay celebrated his 88 birthday on 5 November 2024.